The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-08-30
THE FISHERIES.
What New Yorker Thinks He Has
Discovered.

NEW YORK, Aug 29.-The Sun today
publishes the following interview with a
gentleman who has just returned from Can
ada and Maine: "In the maritime provinces
the feeling is extremely bitter, and it is
doubtful if the inhabitants could be persuad-
ed to recommend any measure tending toward
settlement Of the fisheries dispute. Just
now they are more bitter than ever over the
recent decision of Secretary Fairchild, the
publicity Of which they say has been smoth-
cred, regarding the landing of nets for re-
pairs on American SOIL 1t was decided that
full duty would have to be paid over If the
nets were simply tarred and then carried
back Immediately to the vessel. A violation
of this rule would warrant seizure This
angered the Canadians worse than before,
and they made all sorts of complaints TO the
home Office. 1t was on this account that the
Bellerophon and other British cruisers were
ordered to look after the fishing grounds.
Sir John Macdonald said in my presence a
short time ago that he did not really believe
the difficulty could ever be settled without a
concession from one side or the otner 9th
er Canadian officials throughout the provinc-
es are OF the same opinion. The authorities,
aided by the inhabitants of the coast PROV
lnces, are daily preparing to more rigidly
enforce their version of the treaty of 1918.
Along the Maine coast there Is considera
Bile activity among the mackerel men, who
appear to think that If their schooners are
sufficiently swift sailers they are safe from
tne Canadian gunboats. Some Of the Booth
bay schooners have received new suits of
sails nearly twice the original size, and have
rented generally so as to make rapid time.
The same is the case in Portland, and quite
number OF mackerelmen have put to sea un-
der such clouds of canvas as have never been
seen there before. One schooner sailed from
Portland harbor to Seguin light, q distance
OF about twenty-eight miles, in something
less than two hours. The most surprising
thing IS the attitude taken by the poorer class
OF fishermen, who usually ply their vocation
In sloop or pinkie owned by themselves,
while the schooners are owned by the large
companies. The poorer fishermen claim that
the large vessels have driven all the fish from
the coast Of Maine and now seek to devastate
the Canadian shore. Ten years ago mackerel
could be seen anywhere on the Maine coast
and now it Is seldom that school is seen in
amonth. Porgies are entirely driven off. 1t
Is SAID that the large seiners destroy and
throw overheard about two-thirds of their
catch. These shore fishermen probably rep
resent more capital, taken as a whole, than
the companies and large seiners owned In
Portland and the other seaport cities. For
some time past they have been organizing,
and have written letters to various public
men, One was sent to the State Department
setting forth their grievances, and asking
that the retaliation measure be not enforced,
or In other words endorsing the Canadian
three-mile-limit policy. Various letters were
sent to the, President. expressing the same
desires and recommendations. They claim
the retaliation act. Down in the Gloucester
section activity is not so marked, and the
schooners sailing for Canadian waters are
not SO numerous as last year."